Episodes

In this episode of Child Life On Call, host Katie Taylor, a certified child life specialist, shares personal experiences and practical advice on maintaining calm during your child's medical procedures. Katie recounts a traumatic incident with her daughter, emphasizing the natural parental panic response and how to manage it.She offers three key strategies: getting informed about medical procedures, finding a supportive role during the process, and taking care of your own physical and emotional ...

"Hope doesn't take away the darkness, but it shines some light in it."- Abby ZachritzWe extend our sincere gratitude to our sponsor for this episode, Gebauer PainEase®. We are pleased to provide more information about this product, and we invite you to learn more by visiting their website.In this powerful first episode of the year, Katie sits down with Abby Zachritz—better known as Advocacy Abby—who shares her journey from personal tragedy to becoming a beacon of hope for families in need. Abb...

Navigating Medical Rounds: Tips for Parents from a Child Life SpecialistIn this episode, Katie Taylor, a certified child life specialist, offers critical insights and tips for parents navigating medical rounds with their hospitalized children.She introduces Q Rounds, a new tool developed by Dr. Mike aimed at making rounds more predictable and accessible for families. Katie explains the purpose and structure of rounds, highlighting the importance of family-centered rounds.She provides strat...

"Hope isn't about avoiding the hard truths. It's about staying grounded in them and still believing that something good is possible."- Katie TaylorIn this final episode of 2024, Katie dives deep into the meaning of hope, exploring its role in navigating challenges for parents, children and Child Life Specialists. Reflecting on personal experiences and heartfelt conversations with families, this episode unpacks how hope isn't blind optimism but a source of strength that coexists with pain and u...

"Life is always in the mix of joy and grief, and those things coexist. But this is how I'm going to deal with it." - Joanne De SimoneIn this episode of the Child Life On Call Podcast, Joanne De Simone shares her journey as a parent raising two sons with disabilities. From navigating her eldest son Benjamin's rare brain malformation, lissencephaly and complex medical needs to supporting her younger son Sebastian, who is on the autism spectrum. Joanne discusses the challenges, victories, and pers...

"If anybody was to ask me what is one of my biggest strengths, I have to tell them it's resilience… You can throw almost anything at me and I can handle it. I mean, there isn't anything any bigger in this world than losing a child."-KathyIn this heartfelt episode, Katie Taylor sits down with Kathy, a mother who shares her journey of raising and caring for her daughter Lauren through multiple medical challenges and eventual passing. Kathy's story is both heart-wrenching and inspiring. Kathy ref...

Today's episode is dedicated to the loving memory of Dr. Meredith Hitch, a cherished pediatric gastroenterologist at Ochsner Baton Rouge."You want to make sure that you are ready to be able to prepare not only yourself but your kiddo." - Emily Martinec, CCLSIn this episode host Katie Taylor chats with Emily Martinec, another experienced Child Life Specialist. These two dive into the complexities of preparing children for an upper GI procedure. They provide valuable insights and practical tip...

A huge thank you to our sponsor of today's podcast, Begin Health. - Use code CHILDLIFEONCALL for 25% off30% of children struggle with constipation and it can feel impossible trying to find a solution for your child. Especially if your child has food allergies or has a condition or illness, you want to feel good about the products you are selecting for your child. To me, finding a company whose products have the highest quality and natural ingredients is really important.Begin Health®'s flagsh...

A huge thank you to our sponsor of today's podcast, Begin Health. - Use code CHILDLIFEONCALL for 25% off30% of children struggle with constipation and it can feel impossible trying to find a solution for your child. Especially if your child has food allergies or has a condition or illness, you want to feel good about the products you are selecting for your child. To me, finding a company whose products have the highest quality and natural ingredients is really important.Begin Health®'s flagsh...

Child Life Specialist Secrets: Flu Shot Prep Strategies Every Parent Should KnowThank you to the sponsor of today's podcast: Begin HealthIn this episode of the Child Life On Call Podcast, hosts Katie Taylor and Emily Martinec, both certified child life specialists, discuss strategies for preparing, supporting, and responding to children during flu shots.The conversation extends to other medical experiences, offering developmentally appropriate ways to engage children. They emphasize collabo...

230: Navigating Childhood Cancer: Supporting families through her own experience - Heather's Story"We've joined a club that nobody wants to be a part of, but the good part is we have the best members."A huge thank you to our sponsor of today's podcast, Begin Health. - Use code CHILDLIFEONCALL for 25% off30% of children struggle with constipation and it can feel impossible trying to find a solution for your child. Especially if your child has food allergies or has a condition or illness, you ...

"Trust your gut. If your parent radar comes up and says this is not right, keep pushing." – KimIn this episode, Katie Taylor speaks with Kim Miller, a mother whose journey navigating her son Grant's diagnoses of juvenile arthritis reshaped her life. Kim shares how her relentless advocacy led her family through unimaginable challenges, including managing chronic pain and finding the right medical care. Her inspiring story unfolds from the hardships of watching her son struggle to walk, to his i...

"We are the experts on our daughter and we deserve a say, and we deserve to be given the time to ask questions." – Nikki DeLeoWe extend our sincere gratitude to our sponsor for this episode, Gebauer PainEase®. We are pleased to provide more information about this product, and we invite you to learn more by visiting their website.In this heartfelt episode, host and Certified Child Life Specialist Katie Taylor speaks with Nikki DeLeo, a mother of Taylor, her daughter who has Cystic Fibrosis (C...

"If you have a doubt about something with your child or a family member, it's just really important to keep pushing through and get to the answers." – Gay GrossmanIn this episode, host Katie Taylor speaks with Gay Grossman, a passionate patient advocate and mother, about her journey navigating the rare disease world. Gay shares her experience of seeking a diagnosis for her daughter, advocating for genetic testing, and supporting families through complex medical and educational challenges. Her s...

"Combining my personal experiences as a mom with my professional role has given me a unique perspective on the challenges families face and the solutions they need." - Jaclyn PedersonIn this insightful episode, host Katie Taylor speaks with Jaclyn Pederson, CEO of Feeding Matters and mother, and Athena Flicek, a dedicated mother of a child with feeding difficulties, about the complexities of pediatric feeding disorders. Jaclyn and Athena share their personal and professional experiences, empha...

"I feel like I owe it to him to explore other avenues. Acceptance doesn't mean giving up; it means continuing to learn and adapt."- LexiIn this episode of Child Life On Call, Katie Taylor speaks with Lexi, a devoted mother of two, about her family's journey with alopecia universalis. Lexi shares the emotional challenges and triumphs of supporting her three-year-old son, Penn, who was diagnosed with this rare condition. Through sharing her story, Lexi highlights the power of parental instincts,...

"My immediate thought was I'm going to lose my son. That was where my head went immediately." - ReinaIntroductionIn this episode of Child Life On Call, Katie Taylor talks with Reina, a devoted mother from Nashville, Tennessee. Reina shares her heartfelt journey of caring for her son Elliott, diagnosed with Burkitt lymphoma at eight years old. She discusses the emotional and practical challenges faced during Elliott's treatment, the importance of advocating for her child's needs, and the suppo...

Episode Description:In this special impromptu episode, Katie Taylor, Certified Child Life Specialist and CEO of Child Life On Call, shares some exciting news! We're rebranding our beloved Child Life On Call app to SupportSpot.Tune in to hear why we made this change and what it means for you and your family. Plus, get a sneak peek into the new features and benefits you can expect from SupportSpot. This is an announcement you won't want to miss!Show Notes:[00:00] IntroductionWelcome from Ka...

In this episode host Katie Taylor sits down with Ashley O'Neil, a family nurse practitioner and a NICU mom. Ashley shares her journey when her son, Colin, was born at 25 weeks gestation and the following 183 day NICU stay. Listen to hear how she balanced work, advocating for her son's needs, coping with personal loss, as well as providing invaluable support and resources to other families in similar situations."The hardest part isn't being in the NICU; it's the real advocating that starts afte...

On today's episode, Katie had the privilege of speaking with Annie Gunning, a Certified Child Life Specialist and Grief Counselor, and Haley Thomas, a Licensed Master Social Worker, on their collaborative efforts to support families at Hope for HIE. Annie and Haley tailor their support to each family's unique needs, dedicating time to assess and implement the most effective strategies. Under the visionary leadership of Betsy Pilon, Executive Director of Hope for HIE, Annie and Haley are setting ...

Episode Description:Join Katie Taylor, CCLS in this episode as she talks with Dr. Michael Pitt the founder of Q-Rounds and a compassionate pediatrician (and magician!) dedicated to enhancing doctor-patient communication.As a child life specialist, Katie understands how crucial it is for families to not only be present during rounds but also to feel empowered and actively engaged in discussing the care plan with their team. When she learned about Q-Rounds, she knew she had to share this innova...

"We, we weren't letting those people push us around because, believe it or not, living with us 24 hours a day, we knew more than some of the doctors." - Skip VilasIn this heartfelt episode of the Child Life On Call podcast, host and CCLS Katie Taylor interviews Deb Vilas, an expert child life specialist, alongside her parents, Skip and Joyce Vilas. They share their story spanning over 60 years, recounting the challenges and triumphs of raising Deb, who was born with ichthyosis, a rare skin con...

Today's guest is Taylor Happley, a mom of a child with CHARGE syndrome."We need to figure out why and how to help these kids get the medical attention that they need."In today's episode, Katie Taylor had an important conversation with Taylor Happley, whose son has CHARGE syndrome. Taylor's prenatal journey was filled with miscommunication and emotional challenges. Taylor's story of learning about her son's diagnosis of CHARGE Syndrome in less-than-ideal circumstances underscores the need for ...

Today's guest is Erin Prosser, an IEP expert consultant and a mom of a daughter diagnosed with STXBP1."You don't see it coming. Being a rare disease parent hits you like a ton of bricks."In today's episode Katie Taylor had the chance to speak with Erin Prosser, an IEP expert consultant and a mom navigating the complex world of pediatric healthcare due to her daughter Lucy's rare neurodevelopmental disorder. Erin shares her profound journey from a second-time, confident mom to a whole new role...